Delhi High Court Issues Notice On TV Today's Plea For Placing Additional Documents On Record In Suit Against Newslaundry

The Delhi High Court has issued notice on an application filed by TV Today Network seeking to place additional documents in the form of videos transcripts on record in it's suit against news portal Newslaundry seeking damages of Rs. 2 crores for copyright infringement and defamation of its anchors, management and employees.

Justice Asha Menon granted liberty to the plaintiff counsel to point out which part of the transcripts of the videos sought to be placed on record are not already on record in the form of videos.

The Court kept the question open as to whether the videos sought to be placed on record were additional transcripts or not.

Advocates Nandita Rao and Nipun Katyal appearing for the defendants objected to the maintainability of the application which was filed under Order 7 Rule 14 in view of the amended CPC. 

It was argued that what was being sought to be filed as additional documents were not the mere transcripts of the videos already filed. It was submitted that the videos sought to be placed on record would be a new document altogether.

"It is not an additional document in the same sense. The videos are already on record. Court can hear or read it. Whether this is a question which needs to be battled out on question of la seems to be a little extreme. Videos have been partially seen, arguments have been advanced based on the videos. Ultimately we are already viewing the video. If the transcripts are part of the same videos, it need not take the character of a new document," the Court had remarked orally.

Accordingly, the Court ordered thus:

"In view of the fact that the transcripts of the videos already filed are sought to be placed on the record, it is considered appropriate that this application be listed on the date already fixed i.e. 20th January, 2022…"

Previously, Newslaundry had agreed to take down its video making commentary on the suit.

The suit alleges that Newslaundry had uploaded various videos on its website including social media platforms, infringing TV Today Network's copyright. It is also alleged that the online news portal also made "unfair, untrue and disparaging defamatory remarks" about its anchors as well as the management.

The company has therefore sought permanent and mandatory injunction against Newslaundry, it's CEO Abhinandan Sekhri and others.

It has been alleged that the impugned acts of the Defendants caused defamation to TV Today Network , its news channels, anchors, employees and management and caused prejudice to their commercial reputation and goodwill.

According to the suit, the unpermitted and unlicensed use of the original cinematograph films and sound recordings of the Plaintiff company by the Defendants is not protected by sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957.

Case Title: TV Today Network Pvt Ltd v. Newslaundry & ORS.

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